Manchester United ‘eye Angel di Maria as Luis Nani replacement’

In demand: Angel di Maria is a big target for Manchester United (Picture: Getty)

Manchester United are said to have identified Real Madrid winger Angel di Maria as their top target for next summer.

United are currently drawing up plans for a summer reshuffle, and reports in Portugal claim Di Maria is their top target to replace the outward-bound Luis Nani.

Nani is all but certain to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season, with manager Sir Alex Ferguson rumoured to have lost patience with his failure to sign a new contract at the club.

It’s thought that Arsenal, Liverpool and Russian duo Zenit and Anzhi are all keen on trying to land Nani, with United hoping a bidding war will boost their £15million asking price.

And according to Portuguese daily Abola, United will then use that money to fund a bid for Argentina flyer Di Maria, who has fallen out of favour at Real Madrid and could prove to be a potential bargain.

Madrid are thought to want up to £20million for Di Maria, but a season-long loan with a view to a permanent deal may be an acceptable compromise.

United are also expected to push through a deal for Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski in July, with his contract at the German club coming to an end.